Architectural assembly

ABSTRACT

An architectural support assembly comprises an elongate member having a longitudinal channel formed therein, the channel having longitudinally extending ledge portion projecting from opposite sides thereof. A support is located on the exterior of the elongate member and a bolt extending from the support is screwed in a nut located in the channel. The nut bears against the ledge portion. When the bolt is unscrewed, the nut, bolt and associated support can be moved along the elongate member. The elongate member can be mounted upright on a walkway floor to support a hand rail which is carried on an uppermost support carried by the elongate member.

[0001] The present invention relates to an architectural support assembly and relates particularly but not exclusively to an assembly for supporting a handrail or handrails and/or a set of panels at the side of a passageway or balcony for example, to form a safety barrier.

[0002] An object of the present invention is to provide a support assembly of the above type which can be easily assembled on site with the minimal requirement for hand tools, cutting equipment and the like.

[0003] The invention provides in one aspect an architectural support assembly comprising an elongate member having a longitudinal channel formed therein, the channel having at least one longitudinally extending ledge portion projecting from one side thereof, at least one support located on the exterior of the elongate member and releasable fastening means extending from the support into the channel and releasably engaging the ledge portion such that when the fastening means is released, the fastening means and any associated intermediate support can be moved along the elongate member and when the fastening means is secured, such movement is prevented by engagement with the ledge portion.

[0004] This arrangement enables the intermediate supporter supports (which may be used to support further elements such as infill panels or handrails, for example, on the elongate member) to be fixed at any desired position along the elongate member. In addition this arrangement also allows a top support to be fixed to the top of the elongate member.

[0005] Typically, only hand tools are required to secure the top and/or the intermediate support or supports in position. Preferably the assembly is supplied in kit form so that unskilled labour can make up the assembly using hand tools only.

[0006] Preferably the channel has two ledge portions on opposite sides thereof, the ledge portions having respective parallel surfaces facing away from the mouth of the channel which engage the fastening means.

[0007] It has been found that such ledge portions provide secure seating for, e.g. a nut or other element of the fixing means and enable the support to be fixed securely and unobtrusively to the elongate member.

[0008] Preferably the channel is shaped and dimensioned to prevent the female part of the fastening means from rotating in the channel but to allow the female part to slide freely in the channel when not tightly engaged with the male part.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment the top support (when used) is split diametrically in the vertical plane into two portions. One portion carries the handrail (when required) and is connected to the second portion by a fastening means which extends through the first portion into the second portion and engages with the channel formed in the elongate member. Preferably, the underside of the top support has a blind recess into which the top of the elongate member is received. When the fastening means is loosened, the two portions of the support member can be rotated relative to one another and upon tightening of the fastening means the respective portion and the elongate member are locked together. This feature enables the handrail (when used), to be set horizontally or at a rake and the handrail, the top support and the elongate member to be all locked together in the desired position and attitude.

[0010] In a further embodiment the elongate member carries one or more intermediate supports comprising paraboloid outer profiles with keyhole shaped slots which slide over the elongate member and having fixing washers or brackets on the front faces. Each intermediate support has fixing means extending through the washers or brackets and the paraboloid outer profile and engaging with the channel formed in the elongate member. When the fixing means is loose the intermediate support with washers or brackets are free to slide up and down the elongate member and to rotate about the fixing means. This feature enables any element such as a handrail or infill panel carried by an intermediate support to be set horizontal or at a rake and to be located at any desired position along the length of the elongate member. When the fastening means is tightened, the handrail or infill panel and the intermediate support are all securely fixed in position and attitude to the elongate member.

[0011] Preferably elongate strips are provided at the mouth of the channel to fulfil two functions:

[0012] a) the lengths of the strips are chosen such that when a fastening means sits upon the upper end of a strip, the fastening means is automatically located at a predetermined elevation;

[0013] b) the profile of the strips is chosen to match and complement the plan profile of the elongate member thus improving the aesthetics of the assembly.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment the strip and the channel have complementary longitudinally extending projection and recess configurations which slidably locate said strip in the mouth of said channel.

[0015] In another aspect the invention provides a method of assembling an architectural support, the method comprising mounting an elongate member on a base, the member having a longitudinal channel therein, the channel having at least one longitudinally extending ledge portion projecting inwardly from a side thereof; locating at least one support on the member; passing fastening means from the support into the channel to be engaged by the inwardly facing ledge to allow relative movement of the support and elongate member until the fastening means is secured.

[0016] Other preferred features of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

[0017] One embodiment of the invention is described below by way of example only with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7 of the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0018]FIG. 1 is an elevation of one embodiment of the invention;

[0019]FIG. 2 is an elevation taken at right angles to FIG. 1 showing part of the assembly of FIG. 1;

[0020]FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-section through parts 2A and 2B taken on III-III of FIG. 2;

[0021]FIG. 4 is an elevation showing a detail of the upper end of the assembly shown in FIG. 2;

[0022]FIG. 5 is a cross-section taken on V-V of FIG. 2;

[0023]FIG. 6 is a cross-section taken on VI-VI of FIG. 2, and FIG. 7 is a cross-section taken on VII-VII of FIG. 2.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 1, an elongate member upright 4, preferably but not necessarily formed of extruded aluminium, is mounted on a walk-way or balcony 8 by means of a base clamp unit 6, which is in turn secured to a side palm fixing plate 7. The side palm fixing plate is secured to the walkway by any suitable means such as, nuts and bolts, expanding anchors, resin anchors high strength adhesive or the like.

[0025] In this embodiment a hand rail 1 is supported horizontally at waist level by means of a top support 2. Two further intermediate supports 5 carry horizontally extending brackets 3 and support infill panels P.

[0026] The elongate upright member 4 is shown more clearly in FIG. 2 and is in the form of an bar of generally key-hole shaped transverse cross-section as will appear from the subsequent description. This cross section is particularly chosen to provide high bending strength about both x-x and y-y axes and to promote the clamping action of base clamp unit 6, whilst maintaining an elegant aesthetic appearance. The intermediate supports 5 which carry the perforated infill panels P have split portions which embrace the elongate member 4 and are secured to member 4 by flat-headed bolts 32 or the like. The top support 2 comprises two relatively rotatable parts 2A and 2B, the former carrying handrail 1 and the latter being fitted over the upper tapered end of elongate member 4. This configuration allows the handrail 1 to be set horizontal or on a rake to suit, for example staircases, ramps and the like.

[0027] The supports illustrated in FIG. 2 and their fixing to the elongate 4 will now be described in more detail with reference to the remaining Figures.

[0028] Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, parts 2A and 2B have opposed mating surfaces. Part 2B is mounted on the upper end of elongate member 4 (as best seen in FIG. 4) and, as shown in FIG. 3, has a keyhole-shaped blind hole to receive the end of the elongate member 4. A bore 21 extends from the left hand side of this hole to a mating surface and is aligned with a bore having expanded parts 22 and 23 in part 2A.

[0029] As can be seen in FIG. 4, a bolt 26 is screwed into a nut 27 through bores 21, 22 and 23. Nut 27 is seated on ledge portions L formed on either side of a channel C formed within elongate member 4 and is prevented from rotating by the walls of this channel (which are parallel to the plane of the drawing in FIG. 4). For the sake of clarity, the elongate member 4 and handrail 1 are omitted from FIG. 3.

[0030] Referring again to FIG. 3, the part 2A and its associated handrail can be rotated about the common axis of bores 21, 22 and 23 when the bolt 26 and nut 27 (FIG. 4) are loosened. This enables the orientation of handrail 1 to be adjusted in the vertical plane thus enabling the handrail 1 to be set horizontal or at a rake. Correct alignment of 2A and 2B is assured by an annular projection 24 formed in the mating surface of part 2A which fits in a complementary recess 25 formed in the opposed mating surface of part 2B.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 5, the intermediate support 5 has a generally paraboloid outer profile and has a key-hole shaped channel therein to accommodate and fit closely around the corresponding shaped elongate member 4. A channel C of somewhat complex cross-section is formed in the bulbous portion of elongate member 4 and includes two ledged portions L on which a nut 33 is seated. The sides of channel C mate with or are only slightly spaced apart from opposite flats of the nut 33 and prevent it rotating when a flat-headed bolt 32, extending through a bore B in the intermediate support 5, rubber-faced washers 31 and brackets 3 is screwed into it to secure the bracket 3 on the elongate upright member 4. When the bolt 32 is unscrewed slightly (e.g. by means of an Allen key) the bracket 3 and its associated washers as well as the intermediate support 5 can be slid vertically in the channel C carrying the nut 33 with them, to assume a pre-defined elevations determined by the chosen length of the infill cover strip 9. The brackets 3 can also be rotated about the axis of the bore 32 when the latter is unscrewed slightly, thus enabling the infill panels to be set horizontally or at a rake. It should be noted that other fastening means, preferably but not necessarily threaded fastening means, could be used in place of the bolt 32 and not 33.

[0032] Referring now to FIG. 6, the mid-portion of the channel C formed in elongate member 4 is covered by a cover strip 9 which is generally T-shaped in cross-section and has longitudinal projections 91 which are a sliding fit in corresponding longitudinal recesses formed in the mouth region of the walls of channel C. The top of the cross bar of the ‘T’ formed by strip 9 is arcuate so as to match the curvature of the exterior of the bulbous portion of member 4. Lengths of strip 9 are provided ready cut to pre-determine lengths to fit the desired gaps between intermediate supports and thus to fix the elevations of the intermediate supports.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 7, the entire assembly is mounted on side palm fixing plates 7 which themselves are fixed to the balcony 8 (FIG. 1) by any suitable means such as, nuts and bolts, expanding bolts, resin anchors, high strength adhesives or the like. The fixing plates 7 have vertical channels 71 which are wedge-shaped in cross-section and receive complementary wedge-shaped feet 61 of the base clamp unit 6 which carries elongate member 4. Base clamp unit 6 comprises two opposing curved plates having a bore 62 formed therein which is aligned with a bore 42 in elongate member 4 to receive a nut and bolt (not shown). The dimensions and configuration of base clamp unit 6 and side palm fixing plate 7, together with elongate member 4, are chosen so that as the bolt 9 not shown) passing through bore 62 is tightened, the opposing curved plate of base clamp unit 6 rotate around fulcrum points F and cause the wedge shaped feet of base clamp unit 6 to lock into the wedge shaped recesses of side palm fixing plate 7 thus securing elongate member 4 to the balcony 8 (FIG. 1).

[0034] It will be noted that the assembly can be made by unskilled labour using hand tools only.

[0035] The assembly may be suitable formed of aluminium, chromium plated steel, stainless steel, brushed chromium, resinous compounds or the like, the criteria being that the chosen material can be suitable formed, can safely withstand the anticipated loading and is aesthetically acceptable.

[0036] The invention is not limited to the specific embodiment described. The assembly can be used for instance to support a series of rails and/or many forms of infill panels such as mesh, glazing, perforated sheeting and the like.

[0037] The proportions of the individual elements of the assembly can be varied to suit specific applications and load bearing requirements and a man skilled in the art can readily determine proportions to suit particular requirements from the known strength and forming characteristics of his chosen materials. The assembly may be provided self colour or other suitable desired finish such as anodised, spray coated, powder coated or the like and of a desired colour.

[0038] The assembly may be selected for interior and/or exterior use. 

1. An architectural support assembly comprising: (i) an elongate member having a longitudinal channel formed therein, the channel having at least one longitudinally extending ledge portion projecting from one side thereof, (ii) at least one support located on the exterior of the elongate member and (iii) releasable fastening means extending from the support into the channel and releasably engaging the ledge portion such that when the fastening means is released the fastening means and associated support can be moved along the elongate member and when the fastening means is secured such movement is prevented by engagement with the ledge portion.
 2. An assembly according to claim 1 including one or more intermediate supports located on the exterior of the elongate member and the releasable fastening means extend from the support into the channel, the fastening means engaging the ledge portion such that when the fastening means is released the fastening means and associated intermediate support can be moved along the elongate member and when the fastening means is secured, such movement is prevented by engagement with the ledge portion.
 3. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the channel has two ledge portions on opposite inner sides thereof, the ledge portions having respective parallel surfaces facing away from the mouth of the channel which engage the fastening means.
 4. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the fastening means comprises a female part received in the channel and retained therein by the ledge portion and having a male part extending from the support member and arranged to be screwed into the female part.
 5. An assembly according to claim 4, wherein the channel is shaped and dimensioned to prevent the female part of the fastening means from rotating in the channel and arranged to allow the female part to slide freely in the channel when not tightly engaged with the male part.
 6. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein wall panels are preent on at least one side of the elongate member.
 7. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein a handrail is present at one end of the elongate member.
 8. An assembly according to claim 7, wherein the end of the hand rail is received in a blind hole formed in one part of the fastening means, and the other part of the fastening means is connected to the hand rail, and the two parts are joined together.
 9. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the support comprises at least two separate parts through which passes the fastening means which extends through all parts of the support into the channel, whereby the separate parts of the support can rotate about an axis defined by the fastening means when the fastening means is released and secures the support to the elongate member in a desired attitude when the fastening means is engaged.
 10. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first parts of the support members have mating surfaces with complementary projection and recess configurations which locate the parts one with the other.
 11. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the elongate member is generally in the form of a bar whose profile is keyhole shaped and expanded around the channel.
 12. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the support assembly has a base with at least two wedge-shaped foot portions which are fitted into complementary recesses in a fixed mounting member.
 13. An assembly according to claim 12, wherein a further fastening means extends through the elongate member between two portions of the base on opposite sides of the elongate member and which upon tightening of the fastening means securely fixes the support assembly to the fixed mounting member by virtue of the leveraged clamping action of the base components.
 14. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein elongate strips are fitted in the mouth of the channel to determine the elevation of the supports.
 15. An assembly according to claim 14, wherein the strips and the channel have complementary longitudinally extending projection and recess configurations which slidably locate the strip in the mouth of the channel.
 16. A method of assembling an architectural support, the method comprising mounting an elongate member on a base, the member having a longitudinal channel therein, the channel having at least one longitudinally extending ledge portion projecting inwardly from a side thereof, locating at least one support on the member; and passing fastening means from the support into the channel to be engaged by the inwardly facing ledge to allow relative movement of the support and elongate member until the fastening means is secured. 